First HTPC Build - Critique needed (1 Viewer)

[jls944]

I am looking to build a relatively inexpensive HTPC and wanted to get some suggestions/recommendations. I don't have much experience building a computer, but I am much more computer/electronics savvy than the average person. My needs for this build are the following:
- Watch TV (eventually add a PVR)
- Play HD quality movies and output to HD TV & 5.1 Channel Surround
- Storage for DVD's (music & pictures are already on a networked HD)
- Run my automation (Homeseer)
- Control with remote
- Has to be 100% reliable as it will be running 24/7 for automation

Here is the configuration I was leaning toward. Please let me know if this will do everything that I described above with relative ease. Also, please make suggestions if you think different hardware would be better suited.

CPU: AMD Athlon II X2 255 Socket AM3 75
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-MA785GMT-UD2H board 85
Memory: Kingston ValueRAM 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1066 (PC3 8500) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model: KVR1066D3N7K2/2G 53
HDD: Western Digital GreenPower drive AV-GP WD15EVDS 120
Chassis: Antec Black M FusionRemote 350 Micro ATX 90
Blu-Ray: LG black 8X BD-ROM 16X DVD-ROM 40X CD-ROM SATA 100
Graphics Card:HIS H567Q512 Radeon HD 5670 GDDR5 512MB 95
Total Cost: $618

 

[Gelöschtes Mitglied 96825]

That looks like a perfectly adequate system to me, although i would probably be tempted to get 2 x 2GB of branded RAM myself. I find that playing HD content uses quite a bit of RAM when fastforwarding etc, plus if you are watching a movie whilst recording 2 channels, and having the automation sw running at the same time id rather have it on 4GB that the 2GB.

Also with 2 x 2GB sticks, you can easily take it from 4GB to 8GB in the future, wheras with 2 x 1GB you will only be able to take it to 4GB cheaply.

 

[jls944]

Great suggestion. Thanks Gaz.